Muhammad Wilkerson was back on the practice field on Wednesday, but whether he’s back in the good graces of coach Todd Bowles isn’t as clear.

Bowles sounded indecisive Wednesday whether Wilkerson will be active for Sunday’s game against Chargers at MetLife Stadium. The veteran defensive end didn’t make the trip to New Orleans last week after being late for a team meeting. Perhaps that isn’t the message Bowles wanted to send, but in these final weeks of the season when everything the coach does is being scrutinized, waffling on Wilkerson is not a good look.

I get it that Bowles doesn’t have to tell anyone of his plans. He doesn’t have to reveal to you, me or the Chargers whether or not Wilkerson will start, or even be activated, for the final home game of the season. But if there’s anything working in Bowles’ favor in keeping his job in 2018, it’s the fact he has largely made players accountable when they’ve broken rules.

It was the second time in three weeks Wilkerson, who is earning $18 million this year, was disciplined for being late to meetings and the fourth time in the past three years. He was benched for most of the first quarter of the Jets’ 38-31 win over the Chiefs on Dec. 3. The Jets managed without him against the Chiefs, but his absence was more glaring against the Saints, who ripped the Jets, 31-19, Sunday in the Superdome.

Bowles said Wednesday that Wilkerson had “served his sentence” for his latest indiscretion but stopped short of stating whether he would play Sunday.

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“We’ll decide that at the end of the week like everybody else,” Bowles said. “We have not reached a decision. We’ll discuss everything as the week goes on.”

I’m not sure why there’s a need to be coy. I’m sure the Chargers aren’t constructing their game plan around whether Wilkerson plays or not. He has just 3.5 sacks on the season and hasn’t had a real impact in most of the Jets’ games.

It could be one of three things: Wilkerson will play, and Bowles just doesn’t want to tell anybody; or the Jets could be waiting on the status of defensive end Leonard Williams, who remains in the concussion protocol and might not be available — which would increase the need for Wilkerson’s availability.

A third and less remote possibility is the Jets have no plans to play Wilkerson, but want him to show up for work during the week so they don’t have issues with the NFL Players Association.

Wilkerson at least showed a little more remorse about missing Sunday’s game than he did about losing a bit of playing time against the Chiefs. He revealed he spoke to the team on Monday and admitted to reporters on Wednesday that he “let the team down.” He also said he still considers himself a leader and feels he has earned every bit of the five-year, $86 million contract he has been paid up to this point.

Whether he plays on Sunday is “up to the coaches,” Wilkerson said, adding he still respects Bowles. Perhaps Wilkerson’s status depends on whether he’ll be punctual for all the meetings this week. But if that’s the prerequisite, then Bowles should say so. If it depends on Williams’ health, then Bowles should say so.

It’s widely believed the Jets plan to release Wilkerson after this season and save $11 million heading into next season. But if he does play the final two games and suffers a serious injury, his 2018 salary of $16.75 million is guaranteed.

No doubt the Jets are weighing all these factors and why Bowles looked indecisive Wednesday at the worst time of the season for a head coach fighting for his job.